Chris Lombardi puts defense and security under the spotlight, as he shares his takes on recent NATO and EU cooperation and provides insight into the company’s own long-term strategic partnerships in Europe.

Three trends are currently driving the global electricity sector: decarbonization, decentralization and differentiation. Utilities are making significant contributions to mitigate carbon emissions, while a technology revolution is …

A report due to be presented at a meeting of EU finance ministers tomorrow warns about the economic costs of the EU’s proposed energy and climate-change package, arguing that tax revenues could fall.

In its report, seen by European Voice, the European Commission’s Economic Policy Committee’s working group states that a strong pursuit of the goals set out in the package, which the EU presidency wants agreed this year, would reduce energy consumption and, with it, tax revenues. It also warns that rising energy bills might result in stronger calls for governments to help poorer members of society, which, if heeded, could increase public spending.

The paper also flags up the increased risk that companies could move their operations abroad to avoid the restrictions imposed by emissions-reduction targets, a process often referred to as ‘carbon leakage’. The working group states that a global and comprehensive agreement “imposing similar CO2 price to all emitters on an international level” is the best way to avoid carbon leakage. There is also a fear that, in the absence of a comprehensive international agreement, additional compliance costs under Phase 3 of the EU’s emissions-trading scheme (ETS) could add to the chances of carbon leakage.

The report was placed on the agenda of the finance ministers’ meeting at the request of Poland, which is concerned at the impact of the ETS on the energy market and of the climate and energy package on investment in the energy sector.

Three trends are currently driving the global electricity sector: decarbonization, decentralization and differentiation. Utilities are making significant contributions to mitigate carbon emissions, while a technology revolution is …